The wheelchair basketball semi-finals at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games have concluded, with the USA and Great Britain securing their places in the highly anticipated gold medal match. This marks Great Britain’s first return to the final since the Atlanta 1996 Paralympics, while the USA continues its dominant run in the tournament.
Great Britain Overpowers Germany to Secure First Final Appearance Since 1996
Great Britain powered their way to the final with a commanding performance against Germany. After a tightly contested first half, Great Britain found their rhythm in the third quarter, pulling ahead with a 48-32 lead. Despite Germany calling timeouts in an attempt to stop the bleeding, their scoring dried up as they struggled to regain momentum.
In the final quarter, Great Britain extended their lead to 25 points with seven minutes left, fueled by an outstanding 35-point performance from Gregg Warburton. The final score of 71-43 secured Great Britain’s spot in the gold medal match—their first since 1996. Having reached the bronze medal game in the last six Paralympics, Great Britain will now aim for their first-ever gold.
USA’s Second-Half Surge Dismantles Canada
In a dominant display, the USA breezed past Canada 80-43 in their men’s semi-final. The game started evenly, with Canada edging ahead 16-15 at the end of the first quarter. However, the USA turned up the intensity in the second quarter, taking control with a 25-16 lead by halftime.
The second half saw the USA put on a clinical performance, outscoring Canada 40-11. Steve Serio orchestrated the offense with near-perfect execution, just missing a triple-double with 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists. Brian Bell led the scoring with 31 points and 10 rebounds, while Jake Williams also shined with a double-double, contributing 20 points and 11 assists.
Canada, despite a strong effort from veteran Patrick Anderson, who finished with 16 points, struggled with their shooting, managing just 33% from the field compared to the USA’s 60%. The USA’s relentless pressure proved too much for Canada, sealing the dominant win.
Looking Ahead
The stage is now set for a thrilling final on Saturday, September 7, at 21:30, where Great Britain and the USA will compete for the gold medal. Great Britain will be looking to make history with their first Paralympic gold, while the USA aims to continue their dominance and add another title to their collection. Germany and Canada will battle it out for the bronze.
For more updates on the wheelchair basketball competition at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, visit the event page or follow the action on social media using #Paris2024WBB.
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